The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.
In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.
Early Optimism Fades Quickly
The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.
The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
A Troubling Pattern
This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.
After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.
Currently, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.
Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.
Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.
Various Shortcomings
Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.
This was obvious in the performances of the squad.
Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.
Coaching Scrutiny
The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.
In his post-series press
